Chapter Six

Aria's POV

I wanted to run, to escape what Kael had revealed to me. But my legs felt like lead, and my feet seemed rooted to the spot. I managed to take a few steps, but Kael was too quick. He caught me, his hands closing around my wrists like vice grips.

I struggled against him, but he was too strong. He pulled me back, his eyes flashing with a dark, strange magic that seemed to sear my skin. His eyes turned red, and I felt a surge of fear run through me.

As I looked into his eyes, I saw something that made my blood run cold. A dark mist began to swirl around me, tendrils of it curling around my ankles and wrists like chains. It was cold, damp, and suffocating, and I felt myself being pulled down into its depths.

I tried to scream, but my voice was muffled by the mist. It was like being trapped in a living nightmare, with no escape. The mist grew thicker, more oppressive, and I felt myself being squeezed tighter and tighter.

Kael's eyes seemed to burn with an inner fire, and I felt his magic coursing through me like a dark, icy river. I was trapped, helpless, and at his mercy.

The mist grew so thick that I couldn't see anything, couldn't breathe. I felt myself being pulled down, down, down, into a darkness that seemed to have no bottom. And then, everything went black.

As I lay on the floor, I felt a wave of dizziness wash over me. Kael's magic had left me feeling weak and disoriented. I tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through my head, making me wince.

I tried to speak, but my voice was barely above a whisper. "Please let me go" I pleaded, feeling a sense of desperation.

Kael's smile grew wider. "I'm sorry but I can't do that princess," he said, his eyes flashing red.

Kael's eyes seemed to gleam with satisfaction as he looked at me. "You're not going anywhere," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "At least, not until you've served your purpose."

I felt a chill run down my spine as I realized I was once again helpless and trapped, I knew that I had to think of something – anything – to stop Kael. But my mind was a blank, and I couldn't think of a way to escape.

I tried to struggle, but my body felt heavy and unresponsive. Kael's magic had left me weak and helpless, and I knew that I was at his mercy.

As Kael's eyes flashed with dark magic, I felt a sense of dread wash over me and for the second time today everything went black.

Aria's POV

I felt a bit disoriented and my head was still spinning from the effects of Kael's magic. As I tried to sit up, a wave of dizziness washed over me, forcing me to lie back down. I'm not sure what happened or how I ended up back in my room. The last thing I remember is being in Kael's presence, feeling his magic wash over me. Now, I'm left with a pounding headache and a sense of unease that's settling in the pit of my stomach. I try to remember more, but my memories are hazy and unclear.

Suddenly my memories came flooding back. I remembered having dinner with Kael, him telling me the reason why he kept me captive. I recalled the way his eyes gleamed with an otherworldly intensity as he told me about the magic he had obtained from the land of the dead.

I remembered feeling a chill run down my spine as he spoke, his words dripping with an malevolent intent. I had tried to flee, to escape from his clutches, but he had been too quick. He had caught me, his hands closing around my wrists like vice grips, and then… and then he had used that damned black mist on me.

I shuddered at the memory, feeling a wave of fear wash over me. The black mist had been like nothing I had ever experienced before. It had been cold and dark, a living thing that had wrapped itself around me, suffocating me. I had tried to struggle, to break free, but it had been no use. The mist had been too powerful, too overwhelming.

As I finally managed to sit up, I heard a faint noise coming from outside my room. It sounded like footsteps, light and cautious. I wondered if it was Lyra.

The door creaked open, and a figure slipped inside. It was one of the castle maids, a young woman with a kind face and a nervous expression.

"Princess, I'm so sorry to disturb you," she said, curtsying low. "But I brought you some food and water. Kael said you might be hungry."

I looked at the tray she was carrying, and my stomach growled with hunger. It felt like I hadn't eaten in days, and I wondered how long I've been unconscious.

"Thank you," I said, taking the tray from her. "That's very kind of him." I said forcing a smile.

The maid smiled and nodded, but I could see the fear in her eyes. She was scared of Kael, and she was scared of what he might do to me.

As she turned to leave, I called out to her. "Wait," I said. "What's your name?"

"My name is Elara," she replied, turning back to me.

"How long was I unconscious," I said.

She turned back to me, a questioning expression on her face. "A little over a day Princess"

"Please, Elara, call me Aria. The whole princess thing is.... unnecessary" I said.

As far as I know I stopped being a princess the moment I escaped from the castle.

Elara smiled and nodded,"Of course Aria I'll make sure to address you as you prefer. Now is there anything else I could get for you?"

I thought for a moment, trying to decide what I needed. "Yes, please. Could I get a book or something. And I could use some fresh air. Is it possible to open a window or take a walk outside?"

Elara's expression turned hesitant, and she glanced around the room nervously. "I'm not sure, Aria. I'll have to ask Kael's permission first."

"Of course" I sighed.